{"id":125448,"date":"2026-05-19T15:19:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/?p=125448"},"modified":"2026-05-19T15:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:27:10","slug":"between-algorithms-and-people-how-to-safeguard-human-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/between-algorithms-and-people-how-to-safeguard-human-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"Between algorithms and people: how to safeguard human communication"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"In a context marked by the rapid advance of artificial intelligence and its growing presence in everyday life,\u00a0<\/span>Pope Leo XIV\u2019s message for World Day of Social Communications 2026<\/span><\/a>, which is celebrated on Sunday 17 May, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, resonates with particular force in the field of education. Under the theme\u00a0<\/span>\u201cPreserving human Voices and Faces\u201d<\/span><\/i>, the Pontiff urges us not to lose sight of the centrality of the person in the face of increasingly powerful and omnipresent technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Brother Jorge Sierra, Director of Pastoral Ministry for La Salle Spain and Portugal, the Pope\u2019s words \u201cvery aptly\u201d address an urgent need of our time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo safeguard what truly makes us human and not allow ourselves to be swept away by a trend that dehumanises because it places technology so very much at the centre \u2013 so visible, yet devoid of soul,\u201d he states in an interview with\u00a0<\/span>Vatican Radio – Vatican News<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Science teacher who has been involved in youth ministry for many years, the religious Brother acknowledges that artificial intelligence is already part of young people\u2019s everyday lives, as they are \u201cdigital natives and natives of artificial intelligence alike\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

An anthropological challenge rather than a technological one<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

In his message, Leo XIV warns that the great challenge of our time is not merely technological, but profoundly anthropological. According to Brother Jorge, this reflection goes to the heart of the matter: avoiding both the indiscriminate rejection of technology and an uncritical acceptance that ends up dehumanising relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cArtificial intelligence can handle repetitive tasks, but accompaniment, close relationships and the proclamation of the Gospel cannot be replaced by any algorithm,\u201d he maintains.<\/span><\/p>\n

The religious Brother highlights that Christian education must reinforce precisely what technology cannot replicate: human closeness, listening, discernment and the experience of faith lived in community.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps we need to focus our efforts more on personal relationships to foster a personal relationship with Jesus. Artificial intelligence will always be a means, never an end,\u201d he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Educating for the critical use of AI<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

In Lasallian schools, the emergence of artificial intelligence is already transforming educational dynamics. Far from opting for a ban, the Institute seeks to support students and teachers in the critical and responsible use of these tools.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that students use it. It is not a question of banning it, but of educating them to know how to use it,\u201d explains Brother Jorge.<\/span><\/p>\n

This also involves reviewing traditional teaching methods. Activities that previously assessed the ability to summarise or compile information lose their meaning in a context where AI can perform them automatically. The challenge, he points out, now lies in fostering the understanding, assimilation and creative application of knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSchools and society are having to adapt to the change of the times that has caught us somewhat off guard,\u201d he acknowledges.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Hyperconnected young people and the need for discernment<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

Brother Jorge also observes that many young people use artificial intelligence tools with complete ease, almost without questioning their ethical or cultural implications.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey have the app installed on their mobile phones and when they don\u2019t know something, they immediately look it up,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, he warns that not even adults are yet fully aware of all the associated risks, especially those linked to the manipulation of information, algorithmic biases and the reduction of the person to mere consumer data.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this context, he considers the role of the Christian educator to be indispensable as a critical mediator capable of offering a perspective centred on the Gospel and on the dignity of the most vulnerable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn algorithm created by a large company is probably not capable of providing that perspective on the youngest members of society,\u201d he states.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

\u201cWe are not an algorithm\u201d<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

During the interview, the Director of Pastoral Ministry recalled a recent statement by Leo XIV: \u201cWe are not an algorithm; we are a desire\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his view, the phrase sums up one of the great contemporary challenges: resisting the temptation to reduce human identity to an accumulation of data, preferences and consumption patterns managed by automated systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are so much more: we are desire, commitment and will, and technology will never be able to surpass that,\u201d he maintains.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Back to real life<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

In line with the Pope\u2019s thinking, the religious Brother believes it is urgent to help young people reclaim spaces for an authentically human life beyond screens.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to return to real life, to friendship, to meeting others, even to simply spending time with friends,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whilst acknowledging the enormous potential of technology, he insists on the need to promote a certain \u201cdigital sobriety\u201d, especially in areas such as prayer, the liturgy or the inner life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cArt, creativity and commitment are wholly human. Artificial intelligence should help us to be more human, not to replace our humanity,\u201d he concludes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Young people prepare for the meeting with the Pope in Spain<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

In this same spirit of formation and support, Brother Jorge Sierra also highlighted the preparations being made by the Lasallians alongside groups of young people to take part in the prayer vigil presided over by Pope Leo XIV during his apostolic visit to Spain, scheduled for 6\u201312 June 2026. From schools, universities and educational institutions across Spain and Portugal, the Lasallian network is organising meetings, moments of prayer and opportunities for reflection to help young people experience this event as an experience of faith and community.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Director of Pastoral Ministry explained that around 300 young Lasallians will take part in the activities planned in Madrid, whilst other groups will join in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, coinciding with the various stages of the papal visit. In addition to the logistics of reception, accommodation and support, the aim is for the Pope\u2019s visit to be integrated into a broader process of personal growth, vocational discernment and commitment to solidarity. \u201cWe hope that this meeting with Pope Leo will be an experience that helps young people to find themselves, discover their place in the world and strengthen their desire to serve,\u201d he remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

* Article published in Vatican News in Spanish. Written by Sebasti\u00e1n Sans\u00f3n Ferrari.<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":125444,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3386,3367],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-125448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-holy-see","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125448"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125449,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125448\/revisions\/125449"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/125444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}